Montcalm Community College (MCC) partnered with United Way of Greater Central Michigan to donate a total of $2,500 to local food pantries, significantly enhancing support for families in need. This contribution was made during an event on February 3, 2024, at MCC’s Sidney campus, where five local food pantries each received a check for $500.
The donation is part of an ongoing effort to combat food insecurity in the region. This year, MCC’s Hunger Games fundraiser collected an impressive 14,598 meals, a remarkable increase from the 5,126 meals gathered in the previous year. The record-breaking total was announced after the annual Hunger Games event, hosted by MCC’s men’s and women’s basketball teams on January 24, 2024.
Collaboration and Community Impact
The Hunger Games event is part of a broader initiative led by the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA). This initiative encourages member schools to dedicate a regular-season basketball game to raising funds and food for local pantries. Participants compete to see which institution can generate the most meals for their communities.
During this year’s event, participants raised $1,500, which was subsequently matched by United Way of Greater Central Michigan, resulting in a total donation of $2,500. This collective effort significantly contributes to alleviating food scarcity in the area.
Annie Sanders, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Central Michigan, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. She learned of the Hunger Games initiative from MCC Foundation Executive Director Lisa Lund at a January meeting and immediately sought to engage her team. “We care so much about food insecurity in our community, as well, so it just felt like the perfect partnership,” Sanders stated. “Anything that we can do to support the work that the college is doing… seemed like a no-brainer.”
MCC Athletic Director Hunter Redman also praised the collaboration, noting the ease of working with United Way. “They’ve been so easy to work with,” Redman said. “We just did our typical thing, put on the game, collected the donations, and they took care of the rest.”
Support for Local Food Pantries
The funds were distributed evenly among five local food pantries: Have Mercy, Hope’s Food Pantry, Carson City Food Bank, M-46 Tabernacle Family Ministry Food Bank, and St. Joseph’s Food Pantry. Each pantry serves communities in close proximity to MCC’s Sidney campus, ensuring that the donations have a direct impact on local families.
Representatives from the food pantries accepted the checks during the presentation. Susanne Le Feve, Food Manager at Have Mercy, highlighted the importance of the donation, stating, “This supplies us with one month of food for 200 families, which is huge.” She noted that their operations rely solely on donations, emphasizing the role of community support in their mission.
Gayle Stull, Chairperson at Hope’s Food Pantry, echoed this sentiment. She serves many individuals experiencing homelessness in the Stanton area and emphasized the often-overlooked issue of child hunger within the community. “A lot of people don’t realize that kids in our community are going hungry,” Stull remarked. “It’ll make a big impact… it’s nice to know that people appreciate what we’re doing.”
Sanders also acknowledged the potential of local food pantries to maximize the effectiveness of donations. “These pantries really know how to stretch that dollar and leverage those donations through West Michigan Food Bank,” she explained. “When we work together, we can make a bigger impact in our community.”
The collaborative efforts between Montcalm Community College and United Way of Greater Central Michigan exemplify how community engagement can address pressing social issues like food insecurity. Through initiatives like the Hunger Games, both organizations are committed to supporting those in need and fostering a stronger, more resilient community.
